CVE-2023-54046
Description
A use-after-free vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel's ESSIV (Encrypted Salt-Sector Initialization Vector) crypto module. The essiv code only handles EINPROGRESS as a special return value, freeing request data for all other return codes. When callers use MAY_BACKLOG, an EBUSY return indicates the request was queued but will complete later. Freeing the data on EBUSY causes a use-after-free when the backlogged request completes.
Statement
This flaw affects systems using ESSIV encryption mode with crypto operations that enable backlogging (MAY_BACKLOG). ESSIV is commonly used with dm-crypt for disk encryption. The use-after-free occurs when crypto hardware queues requests due to being busy, making this exploitable under high crypto workload conditions.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.5 | N/A | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | N/A | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | N/A | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | N/A | Low |
| User Interaction | None | N/A | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | N/A | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | N/A | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | N/A | High |
| Availability Impact | High | N/A | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability,Integrity
Technical Impact: Unexpected State; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
An unexpected return value could place the system in a state that could lead to a crash or other unintended behaviors.
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